William Johns James

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Mr. William Johns James of 1758 Overbrook Drive, Rock Hill. Mr. James died peacefully from liver cancer. Born in Greenwood, S.C., Mr. James joined the U.S. Navy in 1958, and he attended the U.S. Naval Academy. Following this, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina; and later a Masters of Science degree from Georgia Tech. In 1969 Mr. James moved to Rock Hill to accept the position of City Planner. A few years later he became director of the Catawba Regional Planning Council, also in Rock Hill. There he worked until his retirement in 1991. Mr. James enjoyed his retirement tremendously. He became an excellent ballroom dancer, and he was an avid outdoorsman who would often take long hikes near his mountain home in Blowing Rock, N.C. Along with these activities, he was an amateur World War II historian, and he energetically followed financial investments. Mr. James is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nina James, of Rock Hill; his brother, T. Cooper James of Greensboro, N.C.; his sons, John and Michael of Rock Hill; his grandchildren Amelia and Alexander James of Rock Hill; and three nieces, and five nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday evening December 11, 2017 at 6pm at Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home, 700 Heckle Boulevard, Rock Hill, S.C.